JPH0620439A - Head stack assembly in disk drive - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten a space between disks in the perpendicular direction by sharing an assembling space between the disks by upward and downward suspensions for their assemblies. CONSTITUTION: A head stack is formed by one pair of modules, and the suspension 10 equipped with an upward head slider 18 is supported by the 1st module, while the suspension 12 equipped with a downward head slider 20 the 2nd module, and upward and downward heads are combined to be disposed alternately. Then, the assembling space between the disks by the upward and downward suspensions 10 and 12 is constituted to be shared for their assemblies. These suspensions 10 and 12 for supporting the head sliders 18 and 20 are spaced out by using a comb-like head assembling tool and loaded onto their respective disk surfaces.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel magnetic head suspension assembly for use in a disk drive, and more particularly to a method and means for reducing the disk-to-disk spacing (z-height) in a disk drive head stack.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently known disk drives include a plurality of magnetic disks and a plurality of head arm assemblies disposed adjacent to the disks for writing and reading data recorded on concentric tracks of the disks. Consists of a stack of. The tracks on the disk define cylinders that are accessed in two directions in response to commands. A head arm assembly including a suspension supporting a slider with a transducer is coupled to a common structure actuated by a head actuator such as a voice coil motor. The heads must be precisely aligned with each other and the axis of the motor spindle that rotates the disk.

In prior art disk drives,
The head arm including the suspension is separately attached to a comb-shaped structure (E block) connected to the head actuator. Individual suspensions may be glued or ballstaked (swag)
ed)) is formed to obtain the desired spring force and gram load that opposes the aerodynamic levitation force exerted on the slider during rotation of the disk. Swaging is performed by, for example, an upward head slider (upward head).
For the downward head slider (downward head) in the opposite direction. This step can introduce gram load variations when assembling the suspension into a comb-like structure.

Another problem that arises when using a one-piece construction to assemble a head arm is that the entire head stack must be removed from the actuator when the defective head needs to be repaired, which is time consuming. It is costly and expensive.

[0005]

It is an object of the present invention to minimize the head assembly space required for each suspension of the head stack in a disk drive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk drive in which the cost of assembling and modifying the head stack is minimized.

Another object of the present invention is to allow all suspensions of a head stack including an upward head and a downward head to be swaged in the same direction,
This is to increase the uniformity of the gram load.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a disk drive employs a separate support structure provided to support a suspension that mounts a head slider and a transducer. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support structure is a plurality of blocks, each block supporting an upward head and a downward head. During assembly, each block is sequentially positioned in the head stack,
Each block is rotated, aligned and then locked in place. The blocks are aligned with respect to the base of the head actuator.

In another embodiment, the head stack is formed of multiple modules or sections, preferably two complementary sections. One section supports a plurality of upward heads and a second section supports a plurality of downward heads. The head suspension is connected to the mounting element, which is preferably formed by the wall of the module. The two modules are combined to form a cylinder that is connected to the rotary actuator. The module with head suspension is positioned in proper alignment with the disk stack.

[0010]

The supporting structure having the suspension is individually positioned and aligned with respect to the head actuator. In this way, the disc and the head assembly are assembled. In the case of two sections, each section is individually positioned and aligned to assemble the disk and head assembly.

[0011]

According to the present invention, it is possible to assemble more disks and head assemblies in the same physical space used for conventional head loading in a disk drive. According to this inventive design,
The same vertical space (z-height) used to load one suspension, for example the upward head suspension, is shared with the pair of downward head suspensions, which results in an overall smaller head stack. The result is a space between disks. During the assembly process, the upward and downward head suspensions can be swaged in the same direction, thereby achieving uniformity and avoidance of variations in head gram loading on the disk. Suspension on one module does not need to be returned for shipping or storage,
This minimizes gram load variations. In addition, the independent support structure or block and module allows for easy disassembly for replacement of defective heads without impacting other head suspensions.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art disk drive includes head suspensions 10 and 12 located in the mounting space between two adjacent disks 14 and 16. Suspensions 10 and 1
2 respectively support an upward head slider 18 and a downward head slider 20. The suspensions 10 and 12 are attached to suspension boards 22 and 24, respectively. The disks 14 and 16 are mounted on a motor spindle 26 (FIG. 8) for rotation at a predetermined speed.

The overall pitch between the disks consists of the disk thickness, the thickness of the head sliders 18 and 20, the suspensions 10 and 12, and the head mounting space between both suspensions. For example, a typical nanoslider mounted on a suspension (50% slider with dimensions of about 50% of a standard slider)
Has an approximate height of 0.017 inches, and for each suspension the loaded suspension is 0.00
The size is 6 inches and the head mounting space is 0.0125 inches. A typical disc thickness is 0.025 inch. In such an example, the total pitch between the disks is about 0.096 inches and the total head assembly space for the two suspensions is 0.025 inches, which is about the full pitch. 26%
Is.

FIG. 3 shows a procedure for assembling a head to a head stack assembly according to the present invention. Upward head 1
8 is shown loaded between two disks 14 and 16. In FIG. 3, the head slider 18 is shown in the loaded position and in the comb-backed or unloaded position as shown in phantom.
In FIG. 4, sliders 18 and 20 are both shown in the loaded position between disks 14 and 16. The load beam of the suspension 10 is moved away from the surface of the disk 16 onto which the downward slider head 20 of the suspension 12 is loaded so that the upward head 18 is first loaded onto the surface of the disk 14 or partially loaded in close proximity thereto. The head mounting space is optimized by locating the heads in different positions. When the downward head is loaded, the load beam is returned so that its suspension 12 moves away from the surface of the disk 16 in the same orientation as the upward head suspension 10. In this way, the head assembly space normally required in prior art head stack designs is significantly reduced. The downward slider 20 is gently loaded onto the disk 16 and positioned very close to or in contact with the disk 16.

FIG. 5 shows a structure in which both head sliders 18 and 20 are arranged in the same space between the disks. The mounting space required for the suspensions 10 and 12 is significantly reduced, which allows the pitch between the discs to be significantly reduced. As a result, more vertical space is available for additional heads and disks within certain limited physical space, effectively increasing total data storage capacity using the same disk drive format. .

6 and 7 show a head / disk assembly (HDA) including a pair of blocks 28A and 28B having openings. The block 28A supports the head suspensions 10 and 12 each having an upward head 18 and a downward head 20. Support block 28B
Also supports a similar head suspension having an upward head and a downward head. As shown in FIG. 18, the suspension 12 is connected to a suspension board 29 having a central opening 35. The substrate 29 having the opening is also bonded to the suspension 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, blocks 28A and 2A
8B forms a comb-like structure with spaced slots, or E block, in which the head suspension is positioned. The block 28 is positioned and the head arms are aligned using the mechanical pins 38 shown in FIG. A partially shown flexible circuit cable 36 is connected to the head assembly and the read / write circuit. The flexible cable 36 is formed with a bend 45 to accommodate the flexible cable while avoiding mechanical interference with adjacent blocks. The flexible cable 36 gives the blocks 28A, 28B flexibility in the direction of rotation and in the direction of movement in order to enable the head loading process to be carried out. The head stack 30 is rotated on a rotatable actuator substrate 34 which is connected to blocks 28A and 28B. The actuator substrate 34 and blocks 28A and 28B have an opening 35 that is aligned by a screw 46 therethrough that is screwed into the substrate 34. The screw 46 may be replaced by a bearing assembly that also passes through the openings 35 in the blocks 28A and 28B and is screwed to the substrate 34. In this case, the bearing assembly rotates with respect to the fixed base plate 34.

To assemble the head stack 30, the suspensions 10 and 12 associated with block 28B are rotated while other blocks 28A, including suspensions and air bearing head sliders, are rotated laterally and away from the disk pack. Heads 18 and 20 are first loaded onto the bottom disk 16. The upper block 28A is then rotated into position and the heads 18 and 20 of the associated suspensions 10 and 12 are loaded.
Then all of the heads are aligned by pins 38. If more than two disks are used in the disk stack of the drive, this procedure is repeated until all blocks have been loaded so that the center of each block is closely aligned with the center plane of the disks. The mounting space between the disks accommodates the head slider and suspension. A screw (or bearing assembly) 46 is then pierced through the central hole 35 of the blocks 28A, 28B and screwed into the actuator substrate 34, thus securing all blocks. When the blocks 28A and 28B are assembled and firmly fixed to the head stack, the support block 28A supporting the suspensions 10 and 12 having the heads 18 and 20 is moved to its final position and direction, and assembled to the disk drive. . The head sliders are loaded to ride on disks 14 and 16 respectively for static head loading, or in the case of dynamic loading onto a spinning disk pack. Next, block 2
The mechanical alignment pin 38 used to hold 8A and 28B in place is removed. FIG. 7 shows the block 28 and attached head suspension rotated towards the disk surface.

In this way, the blocks 28A and 28B are
The E-block consisting of is assembled with an actuator substrate 34 and a spacer such as aluminum or magnesium alloy (not shown) separating the upward and downward heads on the same block. A voice coil assembly 96 (see FIG. 16) is attached to block 28B to allow rotation of the entire actuator for track seeking. Head stack 30 of FIG.
Is especially useful for small disk drives such as 1.3 inches or less.

FIG. 8 shows the blocks 28A and 28B and the head suspension rotated and loaded onto the disk. Removal of the head suspension from the disk drive for replacement of the defective head or suspension may be accomplished in the reverse order of the assembly procedure. The repair work does not necessarily require removal of the entire head stack or E block.

FIG. 9 shows a small disk drive in which the head actuator 48 has another pivot axis displaced from the center of the head arm substrate 50. Disk 52
A, B, and C are arranged in the space between the head suspensions 54A to 54F. The central portion 56 of the actuator 48 includes a centrally located bearing assembly that pivotally supports the rotatable actuator.
The actuator 48 is loaded and attached to the actuator substrate 60. The pre-assembled block 62 has partial notches 61 to avoid interference with the disc. A pre-assembled block 62 consisting of an upward head 10 and a downward head 12, respectively.
Are sequentially moved to predetermined positions and fixed to the actuator 48 with screws. The sliders 18 and 20 of each head suspension are loaded onto the disk and the blocks 62 are aligned by the alignment pins 63. The block 62 is moved to a predetermined position, and the sliders 18 and 20 of each head suspension are loaded on the disk until all the blocks 62 are in the predetermined position. This type of assembly is available in 1.8, 2.5 or 3.5 inches,
Applicable to small drives.

Yet another embodiment of a head stack design according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. The head stack includes an inner module 64A and an outer module 64B. Each module is a solid, unitary body consisting of a module body and a protruding support element 66, for example die-cast. Figure 1
As shown in FIGS. 0, 11, and 13, the head suspension includes a mounting element 62 attached to a support element 66 integrally formed with the die casting modules 64A and 64B.
Be combined with. The ends of the support elements 66 are arcuate to match the curved surface of the cylindrical module 64.

The inner module 64A is attached to a bearing assembly (not shown) and a voice coil assembly mounted on the inner module 64A and separated from the suspension. The head suspension is
It is attached to the support element 66 by gluing or swaging. The inner module 64A supports all the downward heads, while the first module 6A
The outer module 64B associated with 4A supports all the upward heads in alignment with the downward heads of the module 64A. During operation of the disk drive, the voice coil assembly, which may be a rotary actuator, commands the head to be moved across the disk surface to a selected disk cylinder or data track in a well-known manner. Move the module assembly and suspension in response to the signal.

When assembling the module, the inner module 64A is first loaded into the disc pack.
The outer module 64B is lowered at a constant offset angle relative to the inner module about the outer peripheral surface of the inner module until the lower end of the module 64B is above the lowest level of the threaded tab 78. Next, the outer module 64 is moved so that the suspension associated with the outer module moves toward the disc.
B is rotated. The rotation of module 64B is stopped when all the downward and upward heads of both modules 64A and 64B are aligned in an alternating array. The final alignment is performed by inserting the alignment pin 70 into the alignment hole 71. A screw 74C is inserted into the perforated tab 78B of the outer module, but only one of the tabs 78B is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Screws 74C attach to inner module threaded tabs 78A, tabs 76B and tabs 7A.
It is tightened using a tightening tool modified so that it can pass through the hole of 5B. The screws 74A and 74B are attached to the cover 72.
Through the tabs 76A and 76B provided with the holes of
Engage with A and 75B. The screw 74D is then inserted through the perforated tab 76C of the cover, through the perforated tab 75C on the outer module, and tightened onto the threaded tab 78A on the base of the inner module. The tightening screws 74A, 74B, 74C press the outer module 64B closely against the inner module 64A, thereby forming a solid module assembly. Each module 64A and 64B includes a flexible cable 79A, 79B connected to the circuit wiring of the head assembly. The cables are bundled with electrical connectors 98 for connecting to external circuits. To minimize resonance,
Gap between inner and outer modules 85
A cushioning material is sandwiched between (FIG. 15). The head comb is then released to load the outer module head onto the disk and the alignment pin 70 is removed. As shown in FIG. 13, the outer module 64A has a slot 6 through which the associated arm of the inner module 64A passes to avoid mechanical interference during assembly.
8 are provided. To disassemble the module,
It may be performed in the reverse order of the assembling procedure. It would not be necessary to remove the entire head stack from the disk drive, as the modification work would involve only the outer module. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is applicable to 3.5 inch or larger disk drives.

FIG. 14 illustrates a comb-shaped tool 86 that acts as a block that spaces the head suspension during head stack assembly and alignment. This tool 86
Has a protruding spacer bar 88 located between adjacent head suspensions for the loading process. First, the inner module is loaded and locked to the tool 86. A retaining pin 87 passes through a hole 93 drilled in the top plate 89 of the head comb tool 86, through a head arm alignment hole 71 of the module,
Furthermore, the arm is locked in place through the constriction of the hole 95 in the lower plate 91 of the head comb. The inner module is positioned and oriented so that the downward head slider seats on the surface of each disk. After loading the inner module onto the disc, the tool is removed from the inner module. The outer module loading is then lowered around the inner module and locked to the tool 86 for loading the upward head sliders onto each disk surface.

FIG. 15 shows a modification of the head assembly in which the head arm 82 of the inner module 64A is thickened to improve the rigidity. On the other hand, the head arm 84 of the outer module 64B is thinned to reduce the weight, but provides sufficient mechanical rigidity to the head suspension during assembly, handling and storage. A cushioning material may be sandwiched between the head arms 82 and 84 to reduce the vibration of the arms. According to this design, the plurality of head stack modules are initially aligned and positioned with the inserts in between and are coupled to each pair of adjacent head arms 82 and 84 which respectively support the downward and upward heads. Oriented so that 80 can be tightened separately. The screw 80 does not interfere with the data disc.
In the arrangement disclosed herein, each screw 80 has a through hole 92 that allows a tightening tool to access any of a plurality of vertically aligned screws. Each screw 80
Can be individually loosened by a tightening tool having an expandable lip for engaging the groove of the screw.

FIG. 17 shows the head stack 90 placed in an intermediate position B where more of the actuator arm face is exposed for module to module alignment and mounting. After all sliders are loaded, the head stack is moved from its intermediate position B to position A along the reference plane associated with the base of the module, where the module is mounted in its final position. The slider is then loaded in contact with the disk surface.
The head comb or E block is then removed.

FIG. 16 shows a conventional head stack in the assembled state with the assembly connected to the voice coil motor 96.

According to FIGS. 19 to 21, the head arm /
The disc assembly includes a head arm 100 having a mounting element 102U. The head arm 100 is associated with the upper surface of a magnetic disk 114 attached to a hub 112 driven by a spindle motor 110. The head arm attached to the lower mount element 102L is associated with the lower surface of the magnetic disk 114. The mount elements 102U and 102L are attached to the rotary actuator means 104 with a spacer 106 provided between the mount elements. Mount element 1
The 02U, 102L and the spacer 106 are aligned with each other and are bonded by, for example, an adhesive. In FIG. 21,
The disc drive device includes two discs and four head arms each mounted on four mounting elements. The head stack assembly includes a voice coil actuator 108.

In FIG. 22, separate mounting elements 1
Two head arms 118 with 16U and 116L
It is shown. Each mount element 116 has a shoulder or step 117 that is aligned and coupled to an adjacent shoulder, such as by adhesive, during assembly of the disk drive, as shown in FIG. The final assembly shown in FIG. 24 is a mounting element 116U and two disks and associated head arms combined without a spacer as used in the prior art disk drive shown in FIGS. It is shown with 116L. In this way, the Z height of the disk drive is reduced.
Also, the slots 124 between the mounting elements allow larger discs to be used, thereby allowing increased storage capacity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a representative side view showing a portion of a prior art head disk assembly (HDA) having an upward head and a downward head disposed between two magnetic disks.

FIG. 2 is a representative side view of the HDA of FIG. 1 illustrating the upward and downward heads loaded on each disk.

FIG. 3 shows only the upward head loaded on the upper disc.

FIG. 4 shows only the downward head separately loaded on the lower disc after loading the upward head.

FIG. 5 shows both an upward head and a downward head loaded on each disk.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating a design of a head stack with support blocks for loading upward and downward heads according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating the design of the head stack with the head rotated and loaded onto the disk.

FIG. 8 shows a spindle motor for rotating the disk during operation, using separate support blocks, FIG.
3 is a side sectional view of the HDA of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a disk drive with multiple heads and head suspensions using separate support blocks for multiple head arms according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded isometric view of an alternative design comprising a head stack showing an inner module of modular design, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded isometric view of a modular design showing an inner and outer module assembly.

12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 11 with wiring added.

FIG. 13 is a rear isometric view of a portion of the outer module used to support the head suspension.

FIG. 14 shows a tool used to position the module head suspensions in proper alignment.

FIG. 15 is a side view, partially broken, showing a variation of the novel assembly.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional HDA and head stack.

FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating the position of the suspension relative to the disc during the loading process.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a representative head suspension used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 12, 54A to 54F ... Suspension 14, 16, 52A to 52C, 94 ... Disk 18, 20 ... Head slider 22, 24, 29 ... Suspension board 26 ... Spindle 28A, 28B, 62 ... Support element (reference means, block) ) 30, 90 ... Head stack 36, 79A, 79B ... Cable 45 ... Bend portion 48 ... Actuator 64A, 64B ... Module 66 ... Support element 72 ... Cover 75A-75C, 76A-76C, 78A, 78B ... Tab 98 ... Electrical connector

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 11, 1993

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[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a representative side view showing a portion of a prior art head disk assembly (HDA) having an upward head and a downward head disposed between two magnetic disks.

FIG. 2 is a representative side view of the HDA of FIG. 1 illustrating the upward and downward heads loaded on each disk.

FIG. 3 shows only the upward head loaded on the upper disc.

FIG. 4 shows only the downward head separately loaded on the lower disc after loading the upward head.

FIG. 5 shows both an upward head and a downward head loaded on each disk.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating a design of a head stack with support blocks for loading upward and downward heads according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating the design of the head stack with the head rotated and loaded onto the disk.

FIG. 8 shows a spindle motor for rotating the disk during operation, using separate support blocks, FIG.
3 is a side sectional view of the HDA of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a disk drive with multiple heads and head suspensions using separate support blocks for multiple head arms according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded isometric view of an alternative design comprising a head stack showing an inner module of modular design, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded isometric view of a modular design showing an inner and outer module assembly.

12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 11 with wiring added.

FIG. 13 is a rear isometric view of a portion of the outer module used to support the head suspension.

FIG. 14 shows a tool used to position the module head suspensions in proper alignment.

FIG. 15 is a side view, partially broken, showing a variation of the novel assembly.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional HDA and head stack.

FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating the position of the suspension relative to the disc during the loading process.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a representative head suspension used in the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a head arm in a separated state in which a spacer is incorporated between mount elements.

20 is a side view of the head arm of FIG. 19 with the mount portions and spacers aligned prior to final assembly.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a head arm / disk assembly incorporating spacers between the head suspension mount elements.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the head arm in a separated state, showing a shoulder shape of a mounting element of the head arm.

23 is a side view of the head arm of FIG. 22 with the mount portions aligned prior to final assembly.

FIG. 24: Head arm / incorporating the inventive concept
It is a side view of a disc assembly.

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[Description of reference numerals] 10, 12, 54A to 54F, 100, 118 ... Suspension 14, 16, 52A to 52C, 94, 114 ... Disk 18, 20 ... Head slider 22, 24, 29 ... Suspension board 26, 112 ... Spindle 28A, 28B, 62, 102U, 102L, 116
U, 116L ... Support element (reference means, block) 30, 90 ... Head stack 36, 79A, 79B ... Cable 45 ... Bend portion 48, 104 ... Actuator 64A, 64B ... Module 66 ... Support element 72 ... Cover 75A-75C, 76A to 76C, 78A, 78B ... Tab 98 ... Electrical connector 106 ... Spacer 117 ... Shoulder

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Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of disks having concentric data storage tracks and rotatable about a central axis, a motor spindle for rotating the disks, and upward and downward heads respectively associated with the upper and lower surfaces of the disks. A head stack assembly including a plurality of magnetic head assemblies including a suspension, an actuator for moving the head assembly in both directions across the data track, a suspension for supporting the suspension, and a suspension and a head slider for the disk surface. Vertically between the disks due to the sharing of the mounting space between the disks by the upward and downward suspensions, which consists of a plurality of support elements that can be independently moved with respect to the central axis of the disk stack for separate loading Directional space is effective Is the disc drive apparatus reduced to. 2. The disk drive device of claim 1, wherein each support element supports a first suspension having a downward head slider and a second suspension having an upward head slider. 3. The disk drive device of claim 1, wherein the support element is a substantially rectangular block to which the suspension is mounted. 4. The disk of claim 3 including a flexible circuit cable, wherein the circuit cable has a bend formed between adjacent blocks to permit relative movement or rotation of the blocks. Drive device. 5. A suspension substrate coupled to the suspension, the substrate being bonded to the block,
4. The disk drive device according to claim 3, wherein the disk drive device is connected by swaging or welding. 6. The disk drive device of claim 1, wherein the support element is made of aluminum or magnesium alloy. 7. The disk drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a reference means for aligning and positioning the head suspension and the head slider along a line substantially parallel to a central axis of the motor spindle. 8. The disk drive device of claim 7, wherein the datum means comprises a comb-like structure having equally spaced slots for receiving one of the support elements. 9. The disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a voice coil assembly. 10. The disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator. 11. A plurality of discs having concentric data storage tracks and rotatable about a central axis, a motor spindle for rotating the discs, and a plurality of suspensions supporting a head slider and a magnetic transducer. A magnetic head assembly, an actuator for moving the head assembly in both directions across the data track, a first support structure for supporting a plurality of upward head sliders, and a second support for supporting a plurality of downward head sliders. A head stack assembly including a structure and a means for connecting the head stack assembly to the actuator, and the same mounting space is shared by the suspensions supporting the upward and downward sliders so that a vertical space between the disks is reduced. Disk drive device that can be effectively reduced Place 12. The disk drive device of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises first and second cylindrical modules. 13. The disk drive device of claim 12, wherein the modules are formed as one unitary body for connecting to each other. 14. The disk drive device according to claim 12, wherein the module is an integral die-cast body. 15. The disk drive device according to claim 12, further comprising a cover that covers the module. 16. The cover and each module are
16. A tab having a hole for aligning and closely fitting the cover and the modules with each other.
Disk drive device. 17. A first flexible circuit cable coupled to the head assembly of the first module and a second flexible circuit cable coupled to the head assembly of the second module. 13. The disk drive device of claim 12, including an electrical connector for connecting the cable to an external circuit. 18. The disk drive device of claim 12, including cushioning material provided between the modules to minimize vibration. 19. To allow rotation of said support structure,
The disk drive apparatus of claim 11, including a bearing assembly coupled to the support structure. 20. A method of assembling a head stack to a disk drive having at least two disks including a plurality of head suspensions for mounting an air bearing head slider, the method comprising the steps of: Mounting, aligning the support element and the suspension with respect to a central axis of the disk, the support element while holding an unloaded head slider of the plurality of support elements away from the disk surface. Individually loading one of the head sliders onto the disk, and sequentially loading another one of the plurality of support elements onto the disk until all of the head sliders are loaded onto the disk. . 21. Positioning a first one of the head suspensions by angularly displacing it from the disc and positioning a second one of the suspensions between two adjacent discs. Loading the mounting space, and loading the first one of the suspensions in the same mounting space as the second one of the suspensions. 20 ways. 22. The method of claim 20 including swaging all of the suspensions in the same direction. 23. The support element is a module for separately supporting an upward head or a downward head, and a head comb is provided for retracting the suspension and holding the suspension in a fixed position without causing variation in gram load. First, including or transporting the module with the suspension,
21. The method of claim 20. 24. The disk drive device of claim 1, wherein two of the support elements support only one of the head suspensions, including a spacer between the support elements. 25. The disk drive device of claim 24, wherein each said support element is formed with a stepped shape forming a shoulder. 26. The disk drive device of claim 25, wherein adjacent ones of the shoulders of adjacent suspension support elements are joined in alignment. 27. The disk drive device according to claim 26, wherein each of the support elements supports only one head suspension, and the spacer and the two support elements are aligned and coupled to each other.